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Racist taunts, alleged and proven, have dogged English football for years

British Prime Minister David Cameron will hold talks at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday to discuss racism in football following several high profile incidents in the English Premier League.

"We simply cannot brush this under the carpet," Cameron said, writing in The Sun newspaper. "I've no doubt that football will crack this problem — and the Government stands ready to do anything it can to help."

Racism has been in the spotlight after cases involving some of football's most-famous players and figures.

England national manager Fabio Capello resigned this month after a meeting with English Football Association chairman David Bernstein.

Capello had openly criticized on Italian TV the English FA's decision to remove John Terry as England captain.

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Alison Saunders, chief crown prosecutor for London, said Terry is being prosecuted for a "racially aggravated public order offense" because of the comments during the October 23 match.

Career of John Terry 8 photos

Career of John Terry8 photos

Chelsea breakthrough – John Terry made his Chelsea debut as a substitute against Aston Villa in 1998. After a short loan spell with second-tier Nottingham Forest, Terry established himself in the Chelsea first team during the 2000-01 English Premier League season.

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Career of John Terry8 photos

England debut – Terry's impressive form was recognized in 2003 when he was handed his England debut as a substitute in a 2-1 victory over Serbia and Montenegro.

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Career of John Terry8 photos

The wait is over – In his first full season as captain, Terry led Chelsea to a first English top-flight title in 50 years.

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Career of John Terry8 photos

Back-to-back titles – Chelsea sealed back-to-back Premier League titles in 2006, and in 2010 Terry became the first captain to lead the club to a league and FA Cup double.

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Career of John Terry8 photos

Leading from the front – Terry's international profile continued to grow and he was named England captain by new manager Steve McClaren in 2006. He scored the opening goal in his first match as skipper, a 4-0 victory over Greece.

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Career of John Terry8 photos

Miss in Moscow – Chelsea faced Manchester United in the 2008 European Champions League final in Moscow. In the penalty shootout, Terry had the chance to give Chelsea the trophy for the first time but his spot-kick hit the post and United claimed glory.

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Career of John Terry8 photos

Captain come back – Having initially been stripped of the role in 2010, Terry was reinstated as England captain by Italian manager Fabio Capello in March 2011 following an injury to Rio Ferdinand.

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Career of John Terry8 photos

Court case – Terry pleaded not guilty to charges of racial abuse in a British court on February 1. The incident in question occurred during Chelsea's defeat to Queens Park Rangers in October. The hearing will be held from July 9.

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EXPAND GALLERY

The maximum penalty for the offense is £2,500 (about $3,950).

The London-born defender has denied the allegations.

Cameron says recent events highlight the need to end "all forms of discrimination."

The FA, the Premier League and every club has signed onto a charter to "Tackle Homophobia and Transphobia in Sport."